Child Protection & Welfare Policies & Procedures

Naíonra Dhún Dealgan

Child Protection & Welfare Policies & Procedures

1.  Child Protection & Welfare Statement

2.  Child Protection &Welfare Policy

3.  Definitions of Abuse

4.  Reporting Procedures-DLP

5.  Keeping Children Safe from Abuse

6.  Dealing with Disclosure of Abuse

7.  Confidentiality Policy

8.  Role of Designated Liaison Person

9.  Record Keeping

10.  Safe recruitment

11.  Induction, Training and Supervision/Support

12.  Garda Vetting Policy

13.  Dealing with disclosures on Garda Vetting

14.  Code of Behaviour

15.  Management of Day Trips/ Outings

16.  Dealing with Accidents or Incidents

17.  Social Media Policy

18. Managing Challenging Behaviour Policy

19.  Daily Role Of Adult In Supporting Childs Learning

20. Complaints Procedure for Workers Parents and Children

21.  Procedures for Allegations of Abuse against Workers

22.  Child going Missing Policy

Child Protection & Welfare Statement

Naíonra Dhún Dealgan is committed to safeguarding the children in our care and to provide a safe environment in which they can play, learn and develop.

We are committed to child centered practice in all our work with children and full compliance with Children First and Our duty to Care

We recognise the right of children to be protected from harm, treated with respect, listened to and have their views taken into consideration in matters that affect them.

Management, staff, Volunteers and students in this service recognise that the welfare of children is paramount and our service will endeavor to safe guard children by:

·  Having procedures to recognise, respond to and report concerns about children’s protection and welfare

·  Having a confidentiality Policy

·  Having a code of Behaviour for staff

·  Having a safe recruitment procedure

·  Having a procedures for managing /supervising employees,

·  Having a procedure to respond to accidents and incidents

·  Having a procedure to respond to complaints

·  Having procedures to respond to allegations of abuse and neglect against staff members.

As part of the Policy, this service will:

·  Appoint both a Designated Liaison Person for dealing with child protection concerns and a Deputy

·  Provide induction training on the Child Protection and Welfare Policy to all staff, students and members of the board of management.

·  Ensure that staff attend Child protection training as appropriate

·  Provide supervision and support for staff and volunteers in contact with children

·  Share information about the Child Protection and Welfare Policy with families and children

·  This Policy will be shared with parents on enrolment with our service

·  This Policy will be reviewed each time an incident is reported or every 2 years by Manager

·  Work and cooperate with the relevant statutory agencies as required

Child Protection &Welfare Policy

Here in Naíonra Dhún Dealgan we intend to promote an environment in which children are safe from abuse, and in which any suspicion of abuse is promptly and appropriately responded to, in order to achieve this we will:

  Check references of all staff

  Include all new staff on induction training

  Have written guidelines drawn up about duties and responsibilities of staff and placements.

  Staff must adhere to settings Code of behavior Policy.

  Ensure that all staff and placements have access to a complaints procedure.

  Have a written policy, which is strictly adhered to, on confidentiality

  Have all staff sign a copy of our confidentiality policy

  Have clear management structures in place, with a designated officer to liaise with the H.S.E. and Gardaí to ensure a multi disciplinary approach and effective dissemination of information.

  Provide appropriate training for all staff to ensure that they recognise the possible signs of physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse. In house training will be given to all staff.

  Adults will not be left alone for long periods with individual children or with small groups

  The layout of the playrooms will permit constant supervision of all children

Definition of Child

For the purpose of this policy, a “child” means anyone who is under 18 years of age.

Definitions of Abuse

Neglect

“An omission, where the child suffers significant harm or impairment of development by being deprived of food, Clothing, Warmth, Hygiene, intellectual stimulation, supervision and Safety, attachment to affection from adults, medical care”. (Children First 2.2.1)

Some indicators include:

·  Children persistently left alone without adequate care and supervision

·  Malnourishment, lack of food or erratic feeding

·  Lack of adequate clothing

·  Inattention to basic hygiene

·  Lack of protection and exposure to danger

·  Non-organic failure to thrive

·  Failure to provide adequate care for the child’s medical and development problems

·  Exploited, overworked

Emotional Abuse

“Emotional Abuse is normally to be found in the relationship between a parent/carer and a child rather than in a specific event or pattern of events. It occurs when a Child’s developmental need for affection, approval, consistency and security are not met” (Children First 2.4.1.)

Some indicators include:

·  Rejection

·  Lack of comfort and love

·  Lack of attachment

·  Lack of proper stimulation(e.g. fun and play)

·  Serious over protectiveness

·  Inappropriate non physical punishment

·  Family conflicts and /or violence

·  Inappropriate expectations of a child relative to his/her age and stage of development

Physical Abuse

“Physical abuse is that which results in actual or potential physical harm from an interaction or lack of interaction, which is reasonably within the control of a parent or person in a position of responsibility, power or trust”. (Children First 2.4.1)

Indicators

Some indicators include:

·  Bruises

·  Fractures

·  Burns/scalds

·  Abrasions/lacerations

·  Excessive force in handling

·  Shaking violently

·  Mouth injuries

·  Failure to thrive

Sexual Abuse

“Sexual abuse occurs when a child is used by another person for his or her gratification or sexual arousal or for that of others”. (Children First 2.5.1.)

Indicators

Some indicators include:

·  Noticeable and uncharacteristic changes in behaviour

·  Hints about sexual activity

·  Age-inappropriate understanding of sexual behaviour or use of language

·  Unusual reluctance to join in normal activities that involve undressing

·  Separation anxiety

·  Depression, isolation, anger

·  Running away, missing school

·  Self harm, suicide attempts, eating disorders

·  Drug, alcohol, solvent abuse

Signs and Symptoms-Guidance

·  These signs are not a checklist

·  Respond to all observations of worrying marks/behaviour

·  Record

·  Consult with the line manager/DLP and seek advice from social worker and document as appropriate

·  Assessment and /or investigation of abuse must be left to social workers and the Gardaí

Recognising, Responding and Reporting Concerns about a Child’s Welfare or Possible Abuse

In accordance with Children First:

·  Everyone must be alert to the possibility that children with whom they are in contact may be suffering from abuse or neglect

·  The Child and Family Agency should always be informed when a person has reasonable grounds for concern that a child may have been, is being or is at risk of being abused or neglected. Child protection concerns should be supported by evidence that indicates the possibility of abuse or neglect.

·  A concern about a potential risk to children posed by a specific person, even if the children are unidentifiable, should also be communicated to the Child and Family Agency.

·  The guiding principles in regard to reporting child abuse or neglect may be summarized as follows:

1.  The safety and well-being of the child must take priority

2.  Reports should be made without delay to the Child and Family Agency

·  Any reasonable concern or suspicion of abuse or neglect must elicit a response. Ignoring the signals or failing to intervene may result in ongoing or further harm to the child.

·  Section 176 of the Criminal Justice Act2006 introduced the criminal charge of reckless endangerment of children. It states:

“A person, having authority or control over a child or abuser, who intentionally or recklessly endangers a child by-(a) causing or permitting any child to be placed or left in a situation which creates a substantial risk to the child of being a victim of serious harm or sexual abuse, or (b) failing to take reasonable steps to protect a child from such a risk while knowing that the child is in such a situation, is guilty of an offence.”

The penalty for a person found guilty of this offence is a fine (no upper limit) and /or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years.

A concern could come to your attention in a number of ways:

·  A child tells you or indicates that she/he is being abused. This is called a disclosure

·  An admission or indication from the alleged abuser

·  A concern about a potential risk to children posed by a specific person, even if the children are unidentifiable

·  Information from someone who saw the child being abused

·  Evidence of an injury or behaviour that is consistent with abuse and unlikely to be caused in any other way

·  Consistent indication over a period of time that a child is suffering from emotion or physical neglect

·  An injury or behaviour which is consistent with abuse, but an innocent explanation is given

·  Concern about the behaviour or practice of a colleague

All Staff are expected to consult Children First and the Child Protection & Welfare Practice Handbook for detailed information on the sign and symptoms of abuse.

·  Under no circumstances should a child be left in a situation that exposes him or her to harm or risk pending Child & Family Agency intervention. In the event of an emergency and the unavailability of a Duty Social Worker, the DLP will contact An Garda Síochána

·  If the child has made a disclosure, a written record will be made. If there are other grounds for concern that the child has been abused or neglected, a written record will be made

·  If there are reasonable grounds for concern the DLP will complete the Standard Report Form without delay and send it to the Duty Social Work Team in the Child & Family Agency

Duty Social Work Team,

Tusla Child and Family Agency

042 93 92200

An Garda Síochána 042 93 35577

If the concern is urgent and the child is in immediate danger, the report to the Child& Family Agency will be made by telephone and followed up with the completed Standard Report Form.

In the event of an emergency and the unavailability of a Duty Social Worker, the DLP will contact An Garda Síochána

The DLP may use the process of informal consultation with the Duty Social Work Team to discuss the response to a child protection and welfare concern and whether or not it warrants reasonable grounds for concern. Informal consultation is carried without providing the name of the family or the child. If advised to do so, a formal report will be made.

The DLP will record information about the concern, informal consultation (if carried out) and details regarding if and when the parents were informed.

Procedure when a referral is not made to the Child& Family Agency

Not all concerns will meet the reasonable grounds for concern. In this case, the concern and any informal consultation will be documented and kept confidentially and securely

The DLP will inform the member of staff, volunteer, student who raised the concern that is not being referred in writing, indicating the reasons. The DLP will advise the individual that they may make a report themselves or contact the Duty Social Work Team and that the provision of the Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act, 1998 will apply.

Informing Parents about Child Protection and Welfare Concerns

Good communication with parents is very important in ensuring best outcomes for children and any concerns about the health and well-being of a child will always be discussed with parents from the outset.

When a child protection concern is being reported to the Child& Family Agency, good practice indicates that parents should be informed about the report unless doing so may put the child at further risk. The DLP may seek advice from the Child and Family Agency Social Work Department in relation to this.

Responding to a Retrospective Disclosure by an Adult of abuse as a child

In relation to retrospective disclosures, it is imperative that all child protection concerns are examined and addressed.

An increasing number of adults are disclosing abuse that took place during their childhood. If a staff member becomes aware of a retrospective concern they should follow the reporting procedure and speak with the DLP. If any risk is deemed to exist to a child who may be in contact with an alleged abuser, the service should report the concern to the Children and Family Agency without delay.

Information about relevant support services may be provided to the adult if appropriate.

Reporting Procedures DLP

If you are concerned regarding any aspect of the child’s welfare the following steps must be taken:

  Inform Manager/D.L.P.

  Note the exact details of the incident

  Do not question the child of act shocked

  Team leader will inform designated officer - Mary Mulholland. Lisa Mc Guigan to deputise. (in the event that both Mary and Lisa being absent, senior members of staff will be appointed as the D.L.P and deputy D.L.P.)

  D.L.P. contacts the social worker for consultation or to make a standard report or An Garda Síochána – if a child is in immediate danger and social worker cannot be reached.

  Manager/D.L.P. informs parents of concern, and action taken unless this is likely to put the child further at risk.

  D.L.P. informs social work department (Standard Report Form)

  Exact details recorded of all steps taken

  If in doubt check it out – call duty social worker for informal consultation.

Protection for Person Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998

·  Immunity from civil liability when reporting child abuse “reasonably and in good faith”

·  Reports to HSE Designated Officers or Gardaí

·  Protection from employees reporting child abuse